Jacqueline Murphy: Running to Fight Youth Homelessness
From October 17 through November 1, more than 24,000 runners from over 125 countries around the world will be running the 2020 Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. All of them have incredible stories of getting to the starting line in this challenging year. We're inspired to share here the story of Jacqueline Murphy, the development manager of Covenant House New Jersey.
You can still register to run the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon! Whether you're running or supporting this spectacular virtual event, check out our info hub for tips, special offers, and more.
On Friday, October 30 at around 7:00 a.m., Jacqueline (Jacque) Murphy will lace up her shoes and race the Virtual TCS New York City Marathon. She will run her 26.2 miles as loops of the block around Covenant House New Jersey, a comprehensive residential care and related services organization for youth, located in Newark.
“The loop around the block at Covenant House is 0.25 miles,” said Jacque, who is Covenant House’s development manager. “Therefore, it will be 105 laps.”
Covenant House shelters more than 200 youth ages 18–22 each night from across New Jersey. Most are young people who have aged out of foster care; they may have suffered from abuse, neglect, abandonment, homelessness, and human trafficking. Covenant House provides job training, assistance with education, and behavioral health services.
Jacque, an avid runner who has completed five marathons and dozens of half marathons (including the 2019 Brooklyn Half, where she's shown below guiding an Achilles runner), will use her virtual marathon to both help and inspire the youth of Covenant House. She plans to have 40 of the kids and staff join her as a relay, supporting her every step of those 105 blocks. And she is using the race to focus attention on Covenant House’s work to fight youth homelessness and raise at least $1,500 for the organization.
“The journey out of homelessness is a marathon, not a sprint,” she said, adding that the prospect of running repeated short laps excites her. “It will be so special to be able to run the New York City Marathon with my Covenant House family. Running, walking, or crawling—we will get it done!”
A Road Runners Club of America–certified running coach and the mother of a 10-month-old son (pictured with her below), Jacque started a run group at Covenant House in 2015 that trains kids to run a 5K while also building their goal-setting and self-esteem. The group paused during the early months of the pandemic and was able to safely restart in August. Jacque was also the lead coach for NYRR’s Run for the Future in 2018 and 2019 and she coaches track and field at a New Jersey high school.
Jacque’s advocacy for homeless youth will continue beyond her virtual marathon finish line. She’ll spend the night of October 30 sleeping outside in her driveway as part of Covenant House’s Virtual Sleep Out: Action for Change, an event to raise awareness about youth homelessness.
“Action for Change advocates for social justice,” she said, noting that youth homelessness is a symptom of systemic racism and the challenges today’s youth face. Of Covenant House’s population, 87% identify as black or brown.
Sleep Out is traditionally a group event; this year it will bring participants together virtually and has a fundraising goal of over $50,000. Learn more and get involved.
